Page:Ruth of the U.S.A. (IA ruthofusa00balm).pdf/57

 and arctic lake away to the right and, on the left, the great grounds of Mrs. Potter Palmer's home.

"She'd have sent a maid for you," Hubert explained, "but I said it was stupid silly to send a maid after a girl who's going into the war zone."

"I'm glad you came instead for another ride with me," Cynthia said.

He reddened with pleasure. In whatever circles he moved, it was plain he received no great attention from girls.

"I tried to get into army and navy both, Cynthia," he blurted, apropos of nothing except that he seemed to feel that he owed explanation to her as to why he was not in uniform. "But they turned me down—eyes. Even the Canadians turned me down. But Aunt Emilie's giving an ambulance; and they're going to let me drive it. They get under fire sometimes, I hear. On the French front."

"They're often under fire," Cynthia assured. "A lot of ambulance men have been killed and wounded; so that's no slacker service."

"Not if you can't get in anything better," he said, "but mighty little beside what Gerry Hull's been doing."

She startled a little. He had spoken Gerry Hull's name with far less familiarity than Sam Hilton had uttered it that morning; but Hubert Lennon's was with the familiarity of one who knows personally the man mentioned.

"You've seen him since he's back?" Cynthia asked. It came to her suddenly that they—he and she—were going to meet Gerry Hull!